Kandy SC continues winning form

By Shamseer Jaleel

Defending league and Clifford Cup champions Kandy Sports Club continued their winning streak when they scored their fourth bonus point win in tandem, outclassing CR&FC 24-12 in a game which was played under heavy showers and difficult conditions at Longden Place.

Kandy once again dished out quality three quarter running rugby and the ball handling was at a high level despite difficult conditions under heavy rain in the later half. Once again the Red Shirts turned red with no answers for the ghosting moves of Dhanushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala, Anurudha Wilwara, and Jason Dissanyake who danced down the track through the slippery CR defence.

Kandy scored first through lightning fast Wilwara, with Nigel adding the extra two points. CR hit back through a loose ball for Kavindu De Costa to go over. Tharinda Ratwatte missed the difficult conversion. The second Kandy try was scored by national sevens player Jason Dissanayake who handed over four CR players before touching down to take lemons favouring Kandy 12-5.

After the turnaround, forwards led by Buwanaka Udangamuwa, went over for a try. Thilina Wijesinghe added the extra two points. Ranjan chased a loose ball and scored a magnificent try for the up country outfit. CR, who never gave up, attacked in the Kandy 10 metre line. Kandy defended but with several warnings from referee Dinka Pieris who had no option but to award a penalty try to the CR outfit. Though the home team tried on several occasions to cross the Kandy line, it was a tough task as the up country lads’ defence was rock solid. The Police team completed a superb second half rally to settle for a 21-a-piece draw against the high riding CH&FC at Police Park.

Police settled fast in the initial half and scored two penalties from the former Peterite full back Sandesh Abeywickrema. CH took time to settle and missed their star player Lee Keegal for this game who was suspended.

Iranga Ariyapala’s try and Samuel Maduwantha’s conversion took them to a narrow one point lead. The Cops hit back through a converted try courtesy Gihan Silva. CH hit back on the verge of the half time whistle through Srinath Wimalaweera who touched down.

After the turnaround, Samuel Maduwantha’s penalties took CH ahead. A Harsha Fernando try took the cops into lead. Two Maduwantha penalties took the game into the last 10 minutes with the game favoring CH by three points. But indiscipline crept through CH when they conceded a 40-metre penalty to Sandesh Jayawickrama to make it 21 all, their first draw this season without having registered a win yet.

Meanwhile, the Navy outfit had to settle for yet another unimpressive win over the Air Force outfit, scoring just one converted try and a solitary penalty. At lemons the Sailors led 7-0.

Havies pulled off a close 29-19 win over the Soldiers in a game which was played under very tough conditions – heavy rain at Police Park. Havies led 21-14 at the short breather and missed out on Kevin Dixon who is nursing an injury which was sustained at their last game against CH and will miss the entire round one.